Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic medium includes a plasmonic underlayer having an Au alloy, where the Au alloy includes one or more alloying components that are substantially immiscible in Au; and a magnetic recording layer above the plasmonic underlayer. According to another embodiment, a magnetic medium, includes a multilayered plasmonic underlayer; and a magnetic recording layer above the multilayered plasmonic underlayer.

Abstract: A system, according to one embodiment, includes a near field transducer having a conductive metal film and an aperture, and a magnetic lip adjacent the aperture. A back edge of the magnetic lip is positioned farther from a media facing surface than an upper portion of a back edge of the conductive metal film. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.

Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a near field transducer comprising a conductive metal film having a main body, a notch extending from the main body, and a notch diffusion barrier layer interposed between the notch and the main body. An apparatus according to another embodiment includes a write pole, and a near field transducer adjacent the write pole. The near field transducer includes a conductive metal film having a main body, a notch extending from the main body, and a notch diffusion barrier layer interposed between the notch and the main body. The notch diffusion barrier layer includes a metal selected from a group consisting of Rh, W, Mo, Ru, Ir, Co, Ni, Pt, B, and alloys thereof. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a near field transducer comprising a conductive metal film having a main body, a notch extending from the main body, and a notch diffusion barrier layer interposed between the notch and the main body. An apparatus according to another embodiment includes a write pole, and a near field transducer adjacent the write pole. The near field transducer includes a conductive metal film having a main body, a notch extending from the main body, and a notch diffusion barrier layer interposed between the notch and the main body. The notch diffusion barrier layer includes a metal selected from a group consisting of Rh, W, Mo, Ru, Ir, Co, Ni, Pt, B, and alloys thereof. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic medium includes a plasmonic underlayer having an Au alloy, where the Au alloy includes one or more alloying components that are substantially immiscible in Au; and a magnetic recording layer above the plasmonic underlayer. According to another embodiment, a magnetic medium, includes a multilayered plasmonic underlayer; and a magnetic recording layer above the multilayered plasmonic underlayer.

Abstract: A thermally assisted write head having a plasmonic heating device. The plasmonic heating device has a plasmonic antenna located at an air bearing surface of the thermally assisted write head. The plasmonic antenna is constructed of an alloy that is sufficiently hard to withstand the processes such as ion milling and chemical mechanical polishing used to construct the plasmonic antenna. The plasmonic antenna is preferably constructed of AuX, where X is Cu, Ni, Ta, Ti, Zr or Pt having a concentration less than 5 atomic percent.

Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a near field transducer positioned towards a media-facing surface side, a primary waveguide for delivering light to the near field transducer, a secondary waveguide positioned near the primary waveguide and configured for receiving light from a light source and transferring at least some of the light received thereby to the primary waveguide, and a gap layer positioned between the primary waveguide and the secondary waveguide, wherein the secondary waveguide includes an oxide of at least one of Ta, Ti, Zr, and Nb alloyed with an oxide of at least one of Si and Al. Additional embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A thermally assisted write head having a plasmonic heating device. The plasmonic heating device has a plasmonic antenna located at an air bearing surface of the thermally assisted write head. The plasmonic antenna is constructed of an alloy that is sufficiently hard to withstand the processes such as ion milling and chemical mechanical polishing used to construct the plasmonic antenna. The plasmonic antenna is preferably constructed of AuX, where X is Cu, Ni, Ta, Ti, Zr or Pt having a concentration less than 5 atomic percent.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling a nanowire in a wire assisted magnetic recording head using a radiator in close proximity to a shield of the write pole. The radiator may further contain current restraints (e.g., slits, cuts, or resistive materials) that maximize current density in the nanowire at a location that corresponds to the current restraints. These current restraints may be further arranged to align with a write pole such that the current is forced to flow primarily through the nanowire when the nanowire is closest to the write pole. The nanowire may then be used either as main or auxiliary writing element for recording signals to a high coercivity media. Moreover, the nanowire and radiator may be combined into a single nanofoil which has a least two portions that perform a similar function as both the nanowire and radiator.

Abstract: A thermally assisted write head having a plasmonic heating device. The plasmonic heating device has a plasmonic antenna located at an air bearing surface of the thermally assisted write head. The plasmonic antenna is constructed of an alloy that is sufficiently hard to withstand the processes such as ion milling and chemical mechanical polishing used to construct the plasmonic antenna. The plasmonic antenna is preferably constructed of AuX, where X is Cu, Ni, Ta, Ti, Zr or Pt having a concentration less than 5 atomic percent.

Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a near field transducer positioned towards a media-facing surface side, a primary waveguide for delivering light to the near field transducer, a secondary waveguide positioned near the primary waveguide and configured for receiving light from a light source and transferring at least some of the light received thereby to the primary waveguide, and a gap layer positioned between the primary waveguide and the secondary waveguide, wherein the secondary waveguide includes an oxide of at least one of Ta, Ti, Zr, and Nb alloyed with an oxide of at least one of Si and Al. Additional embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A thermally assisted magnetic write head having a near-field transducer, a magnetic lip and a diffusion barrier layer between the near-field transducer and the magnetic lip. The near-field transducer includes a transparent aperture constructed of a material such as SiO2 and an opaque metallic antenna constructed of a metal such as Au formed at a first edge of the aperture. A magnetic lip, connected with the write pole is formed near a second edge of the aperture with a diffusion barrier layer being disposed between the magnetic lip and the aperture. The diffusion barrier layer prevents migration of atomic between the aperture and the magnetic lip, thereby ensuring robust performance at localized high temperatures generated by the near-field transducer.

Abstract: A thermally assisted write head having a plasmonic heating device. The plasmonic heating device has a plasmonic antenna located at an air bearing surface of the thermally assisted write head. The plasmonic antenna is constructed of an alloy that is sufficiently hard to withstand the processes such as ion milling and chemical mechanical polishing used to construct the plasmonic antenna. The plasmonic antenna is preferably constructed of AuX, where X is Cu, Ni, Ta, Ti, Zr or Pt having a concentration less than 5 atomic percent.

Abstract: A thermally assisted magnetic write head having a near-field transducer, a magnetic lip and a diffusion barrier layer between the near-field tranducer and the magnetic lip. The near-field transducer includes a transparent aperture constructed of a material such as SiO2 and an opaque metallic antenna constructed of a metal such as Au formed at a first edge of the aperture. A magnetic lip, connected with the write pole is formed near a second edge of the aperture with a diffusion barrier layer being disposed between the magnetic lip and the aperture. The diffusion barrier layer prevents migration of atomic between the aperture and the magnetic lip, thereby ensuring robust performance at localized high temperatures generated by the near-field transducer.